This year Di and myself (Mal) and most of our prayer ministry staff have completed the Foundation and Intermediate levels of the Australian Prayer NetworkWatchman School of Intercession.

We can all recommend most highly this training in intercession. The main presenter is Brian Pickering, head of the APN for the last 30 years, with other gifted people assisting. The teaching is excellent, the fellowship good, and the networking valuable. Di, I and some of our staff and friends did the weekend Foundation Level School at New Gisborne, and had a great time. Others had done it at Essendon last year. We then did the live-in Intermediate Level School at Phillip Island, which was a wonderful experience.

Di and I have had a lot of experience as intercessors, having been founding members of Intercessors for Melbourne in the early 1990s. We have trained many other intercessors, but even so doing this course was well worth our while. Brian and the members of the APN have had a great deal of experience, not just in intercession, but in the effective administration of it to achieve the desired goals. They have made mistakes and had successes over the years, and all are used to refine the work and teaching.

The course is structured so that all sessions and levels must be covered in order. So, one must complete the Foundation level before proceeding to the Intermediate level, and then the Advanced level. Over 5000 people all over Australia have completed the Foundation level so far, and courses are in great demand.

At Beth Tephillah, with the permission of the APN, we are currently running the Foundation level course from DVDs of Brian’s teaching, and will be running it again next year. This will enable more of our staff and friends to enroll in the next Intermediate level school in June 2017 in Geelong. We are already planning to join in the Advanced school scheduled for August 2017.

If any others wish to begin this course by doing the Foundation level there is one available in Corio 25th/26th November 2016, and another at Lakes Entrance, 3rd/4th February 2017. For registration get the details from the APN website above.

APN do not charge anything for the course or for accommodation and meals. Your school will have been payed for by those doing previous schools. At each school they do take up a love offering towards the cost of the next school after yours.

If you are called to be an intercessor, and whether you are new or experienced, we do urge you to take this opportunity.

Dorothy Coleman let us all know that Pat Shepherd passed away on Friday 11th March. In Dorothy’s words, “With Jesus at last, to see His Face and be with Him forever!” Thanks, Dorothy, for the beautiful picture.

This page is in memory of Pat, who trained and inspired many people in prayer ministry around Melbourne and other places. Of course, many people knew and appreciated Pat in other contexts as well. I will add to this page any comments, testimonials and memories of Pat sent to me either directly or via the Healing Prayer Ministries email group.

We all send our love to Pat’s husband David and their family at this time, and pray for God’s comfort and richest blessings for them. We especially thank them for sharing her with us and so many other people.

Memories

We’ll all miss Pat.

She had an enormous impact on healing prayer ministry training in Melbourne and many other places. She also mentored people in other ministries who are now leaders in the amazing things that Jesus is presently doing in our nation, awakening and revitalising his church and bringing reconciliation among groups in society previously estranged from each other.

Pat took over as director for Wholeness through Christ Australia after June Sutton retired. She proved to be a capable leader and teacher. Di and I are so thankful for her teaching and encouragement. I especially remember all the meals I had at Pat and David’s house before we set off to teach in the evening WTCM advanced course. Also the robust ‘discussions’ in the WTCM board meetings. Another fond memory is from 1995 when I was kneeling beside her with my arm around her while Charles Kraft demonstrated on Pat that Christians can have demons, and that it is OK to talk to them. Before that we had been warned off “doing what Charles Kraft does”. Pat was brave, and the ministry was effective for her and a learning experience for us. She was a strong minded and big hearted lady of the Kingdom of God. Still is, I’m sure. They were good days, and so much fruit has flowed from them.

Di’s first memories of Pat was when Pat was Know Your Bible Administrator from 1981 – 1986, during which time KYB in Victoria grew from 200 to 600 classes. With Natalie Speed, she nurtured me as a KYB leader. Her love for the scriptures and their foundation for the truths on which Christian healing ministry has been built in Victoria was really helpful for me. She could testify to the change in me that Jesus had made when lies I had believed in my heart were exchanged for the truth I had known in my head. She modelled servant leadership and her own healing testimony was a powerful encouragement for those learning from her and receiving ministry.

On Saturday, Faye Noble was telling Di of fruit that continues from the Restoration course at Mt Beauty that Pat taught years ago.

How blessed we are to have known her.

Love Mal and Di Dow

Beth Tephillah Ministry Centre and Williamstown Baptist Church

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I am so sad for us that our dear Pat has gone to be with Jesus but overjoyed for her to finally be with our precious Jesus.
I will be in prayer for her family.
With Love
Linda Bond (Ex Heathmont Baptist Restoration Prayer Ministry)

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So sorry to hear this news but how wonderful for Pat. Our prayers for her family and friends.
I have always been very appreciative of Pat’s life and her contribution to the healing ministries especially in Victoria.

Sandra Rule
Executive Director
Sonrise Family Ministries Inc.

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What a loss but also what a gain! Heaven is richer now! I had a feeling the last time I saw Pat it would be my last, but although my concern was for her, all she wanted was to feel concern for me and where I was at! What an Amazing Lady and what a legacy she has left us, to give ourselves for Jesus and for others for the blessing of His People and for those who know Him not.

Thank you Dorothy for letting us know, and may great comfort from the Lord be yours because you were such a faithful friend to her, and I believe you would be, right to the last!

In the Name of Jesus,

Gary Parsons

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What an amazing woman of God, gone home.
I will always be so thankful that God brought Pat Shepherd into my life and into so many lives, what a blessing Pat has been.
She will be rejoicing with Jesus.
May the family be comforted in Christ’s love.
Thank you for letting me know Dorothy.
Love,
Liz Lowson

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We have so much to thank the Lord for in the ways he taught us through Pat and her humble, obedient sharing of His healing work.

She is quoted often among us, especially in regard to forgiveness!

The Lord bless and keep all her family, and the ministry members at Christchurch.

Jan Sprake

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Thank you for letting us know. It’s so sad for Pat’s family and friends. What a great help her program has been to so many ! What a great legacy she leaves.
I know that she will be rejoicing greatly in heaven.
Thank you.
Sharon Hirst

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We are very grateful to Pat’s teaching part of the Wholeness for Christ,
That was our first teaching about the prayer ministry,
Pat’s teaching was a foundation for where we are at today,
Condolences and prayers,to Pat’s family and close friends,
Also, Pat was an excellent teacher and leader to the KYB classes,
We remember her fondly,
Tony and Helen Freijah, Horsham

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Thankyou for letting us know that Pat has passed away and is now with her Lord.
She has been a great inspiration to myself and our team.

God’s blessings, Love Maaike van Damme

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For me, I remember Pat as a true lady, having a good sense of humour and being a great teacher. Also, Pat was so available to be used by God and exercised the gift of discernment to full advantage, as well as being open to the other gifts of the Spirit. Faye Noble, Tawonga South, Vic.

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Greetings from Meg and me. Thanks for the news. We had not heard. We will miss her.

I did not know Pat well but I treasure all the memories of her that come crowding into my memory bank when I think of her. I am, though, disappointed that if I ever get to visit Australia again, she will not be there. She encouraged me with her words and her smiles. She always gave the impression that she was on my (and God’s) side. She was an encourager and a healer.

One experience with two facets stands out to me. She invited me to meet with and speak to what we Americans would call the Governing Board of her ministry team. I agreed happily, feeling she was honoring me. At the end of my talk, then, she asked me to demonstrate my approach to inner healing and deliverance. I agreed and asked her to choose a subject. To my surprise she chose herself! This seemed to me to be an exercise in bravery–that she would risk exposing inner problems in front of those she was leading in ministering to others . This seemed to me to be a brave thing but seemed normal to her and her Board members.

As we got into the ministry, then, I asked what she wanted to deal with, she said “hayt.” which sounded to me like I would pronounce “height.” This puzzled me. I wondered if there might be a demon of height (hayt)! Then it came to me that it was the Aussie pronunciation that was misleading me. So we dealt with the hate problem, right in front of those she was leading in ministry (!), and, I trust, we were able to help her.

So, we thank God for Pat and look forward to eternity with her.

Charles and Meg Kraft

Kraft Deep Healing Ministries, Pasadena, California, USA

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As I reflected on my short acquaintance with her in the WTC classes I remember her with “grace, glow and peace of Jesus as she taught with authority and an intimate knowing and trust in His goodness”. The song that came to mind was “What a friend we have in Jesus”- the last line being “Take it to the Lord in prayer; in His arms He’ll take and shield you, you will find a solace there.” and that is where Pat is now, in the arms of her dear Lord Jesus.

Ann Hodges, Beth Tehphillah Ministry Centre

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Thank you for letting us know. She was a great lady, and we are all blessed by having known her. Heaven is rejoicing!!!
Love from Stephanie Johnson

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Thank you for letting us know of Pat’s passing. She will be rejoicing in heaven with her Saviour.

I will always be grateful to Pat for her teaching and ministry. When I started my training at WTCM Pat called out a word of knowledge about a person with a tennis elbow. I responded and received a healing of the severe pain In my elbow. She was a wonderful woman of God and she will be remembered by me with much love.

Thanks again,

Blessings,

Jan Watt

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Pat was a great influence in my life not only because we shared similar health issues, but because the teachings she shared with us helped me in my personal life.
As a result of the knowledge of healing prayer ministry that Pat shared and taught, it gave us the opportunity to pass on to others what God has for all of us “in the name of Jesus”.
Pat paved the way with recorded teachings, seminars, including those with overseas speakers, together with the teams around her.
Pat has gone to be with her Lord, but she has left a legacy that, Praise God, will be continued, sharing God’s love and healing grace for us all.
Love – Maggie Spinks

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Thanks Dorothy for letting us know about Pat. What an amazing lady she was – I am forever grateful for wonderful training in prayer ministry and how widespread the ministry is from such small beginnings.

Thanks and blessings,
Karen Seymour

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Like many others, I knew Pat many years ago at Wholeness through Christ.
She was a wonderful woman of God, used by Him mightily. Pat has left behind a wonderful legacy of healing ministry. She is with the Saviour she loved so well

We are all blessed for having known her.

Blessings Rae Kollmorgen

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What a beautiful woman of God and what a tribute to all of us who remember her work in inner healing and prayer ministry. She will be missed by many, but also honoured for the change she facilitated in so many lives. What a wonderful promotion! Thank you Jesus.
Blessings
Monica Peers

In response to the interest generated by Dr. Charles Kraft’s wonderful teaching at Chestnut Hill in 2013, a seminar day was arranged as an <b>Introduction to Prayer Ministry</b> at Chestnut Hill Conference Lodge last August.

Because numerous people could not attend that seminar, it is being repeated on 29th November 2014, same time, same venue, same price – Chestnut Hill Conference Lodge, St James Avenue, Kallista (Mel 75 K2), on Saturday 29th November 2014, from 9:30am to 4:30pm.

The day is for anyone you know who might like to find about healing prayer ministry, with a sampler of various keys for prayer ministry and healing, including practical demonstrations. Discover where prayer ministry fits in with Jesus’ command to all his followers to go into all the world and make disciples. Learn how prayer ministry is changing to fit with the new things that Jesus is doing today.

The trainers will be Malcolm and Diana Dow of Beth Tephillah Ministry Centre in Williamstown.

The cost of $50.00 includes lunch, morning and afternoon tea and notes. Come and enjoy Rob and Cathy Ellis’ wonderful hospitality.

Jesus gave us the first of the still, bright days that followed the freezing storms earlier in the week. Warm fires, beautiful food, an informal setting, the sight of majestic trees and brilliantly coloured birds, and Rob and Cathy’s delightful hospitality kept everyone in a good frame of mind to learn some of the new things that Jesus has been showing us this year.

The focus was on healing prayer ministry not just being offered in prayer centres, but on it being part of what Jesus taught ALL of his disciples and followers to do in their daily life. The healings are not the message, but they are the evidence that the message is true. The message is the same as the one that Jesus declared in his first teaching – “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is near”. Or, “Your thinking about God has been wrong, so change your thinking. God has not abandoned you, he is with you (immanuel).”

As Graham Cooke would put it, “If your first thought was wrong, then have another thought!”

We emphasised that prayer ministry is not primarily about removing people’s pain (especially if the pain is being allowed by God for some purpose), but it is about joining into that intimate, experiential, relationship of love between Father, Son and Holy Spirit.

We looked at a sampling of topics, including the purpose of prayer ministry, knowing and hearing God, the laws of the universe, the wounds of life, pre-birth healing, generational healing, demons and demonisation, and forgiveness and repentance, along with some practical experience exercises.

Comments were received about the loving, gentle approach taken, which has given some confidence to move forward in their own ministry, and others to ask for ministry for themselves. The pre-birth experience was very moving for some who now realise they have some work to do.

We’ve been asked to consider making this a continuing event, and will probably develop a number of seminars focused on “new” disciples who might not truly have discovered yet what Jesus is really on about in the world, and the true nature and purpose of the Church and the life of a follower of Jesus. We remember years ago when the first “Healing the Whole Person” course was run at Williamstown by WTCM(A), someone commented – “This is Christianity 101. Why weren’t we told this stuff before!”

We are very pleased to welcome back the prayer ministry team at the Hope Centre, St Luke’s Anglican Church Frankston.

St Luke’s has had a history of prayer ministry and a long association with the Healing Prayer Ministries Network. Di and I enjoyed working alongside the coordinator, Ian Battersby, when he was Vicar of St Luke’s, and when he and I were board members of Wholeness through Christ Australia. The evening services we occasionally attended at St Luke’s were a delight. It appears that Ian and Carol will be enjoying a very active retirement.

We pray for you both and the team at St Luke’s that Jesus will bless abundantly all that you do in his Name.

The retreat was run by Martin Elvidge and a team from The Open Hand of Western Australia, and hosted by Catch the Fire Australasia. Note that this is not Danny Nallia’s Catch the Fire Ministries, but is part of the original Catch the Fire, a family of churches and ministries worldwide that was birthed as a result of the incredible revival that began in Toronto in 1994. Catch The Fire encompasses a growing network of churches, a college with International Schools of Ministry, a missions program and events running all over the world.

Now, back to the retreat. If you ever have the opportunity to join in an Immanuel Experience, please take it. The whole time was saturated in love and prayer, and most of all – the presence of Jesus. We did learn about healing prayer ministry, but in a way that I believe anybody could do. And it is effective!

However, the whole experience has confirmed to Di and myself the direction we and our ministry team have been moving for some time now – that the primary purpose of prayer ministry is not to bring healing and resolution to issues, nor is it to remove a person’s pain. These are secondary things. The main purpose is to enable them to come into, and experience, the real presence of Jesus in their lives. The result of this is that Jesus is then able to work with them through their stuff.

How does this change how we carry out ministry? First, it is Jesus’ job, not ours. We just facilitate for the person what Jesus is wanting to do. We keep them focussed continually on Jesus, centred in his presence. They ask him what he wants to look at with them and what he wants to do about it. We don’t try to interject our own knowledge and experience, we just do and say what Jesus tells us.

This is so simple, relaxing and effective. Of course, some of us have had so much training and accumulated such an amount of knowledge and techniques, that it is not at all easy to keep our ideas and hands off. I had to resolve right at the start when I was ministering to someone that “I must shut up”, and I told the person that just to make sure I did it. The resulting ministry was deep, gentle and beautiful, just as it had been when I received ministry myself.

Immanuel Healing and the Immanuel Experience are not just healing methods, they are a lifestyle of living intimately in the presence of Jesus.

There will be a further Immanuel Healing course at Kallista in November this year. Watch for details – space will be limited.